Talented and Gifted FAQ's

What is TAG?

TAG is the gifted and talented (G/T) program in Judson ISD. This program was established for identifying and serving gifted and talented students based on Texas Education Code 29.122.

What is the definition of a “gifted and talented student”?

According to the Texas Education Code 29.121, a “gifted and talented student” means a child or youth who performs at or shows the potential for performing at a remarkably high level of accomplishment when compared to others of the same age, experience, or environment and who exhibits high performance capability in an intellectual, creative, or artistic area, possesses an unusual capacity for leadership, or excels in a specific academic field.

What is the rational for the Judson TAG (G/T) program?

The Texas Education Agency states: “Commitment to the future demands fostering and developing the abilities of gifted/talented youth. To deny such students opportunities is to deny excellence. Just as a sport coach works to strengthen discipline the abilities of a superior young athlete, so must the classroom teacher strengthen and discipline the abilities of a superior student. While gifted/talented students may master the basic skills more readily than other students at their grade level, without assistance or enriching experiences, these same students may become underachievers or behavior problems. In some cases, gifted students fail to develop their exceptional abilities because they lack encouragement to do so.”

What is the Texas state goal for services for gifted students?

Students who participate in services designed for gifted students will demonstrate skills in self-directed learning, thinking, research, and communication as evidenced by the development of innovative
products and performances that are advanced in relation to students of similar age, experience, or environment and reflect individuality and creativity. High school graduates who have participated in services for gifted students will have produced products and performances of professional quality as part of their program services.

Who can be nominated?

Talented and gifted students possess outstanding talent and perform or show the potential for performing at high levels of accomplishment when compared with others of their age, experience or environment. Judson ISD recognizes that students nominated as gifted and talented can come from all races, all cultural groups, and across all economic strata, with no regard to learning disabilities.

Who can nominate a student for the TAG program?

Teachers, administrators, school personnel, parents, students, and community members may nominate.

How does someone nominate a student for TAG?

There are nomination forms on each campus. A teacher fills out the form (either
through their own volition or at the request of a parent, etc.). A parent may request a referral for testing form from the classroom teacher. Once the referral/nomination window closes, no late referrals will be accepted.

What is the referral process for the program?

Teachers, staff members, parents, students, and community members may refer/nominate students for the TAG program. The referral process for services provided as part of the gifted program is on-going throughout the school year. All students nominated will be screened for placement. Students will be considered nominated for the program when a nomination form has been completed and permission for additional assessment has been obtained.

For the 2012-2013 school year, the referral and screening dates are on the campus calendars.

What is the identification and assessment process?

Data on the nominated student is collected from achievement testing, school ability testing, parent rating scales, and teacher rating scales. Parents are notified of the results at the end of the screening window.

What if a student does not speak English?

The assessments are done in a language that the student understands or the assessment is non-verbal.

What kinds of measures are used in the elementary TAG identification procedures?

The Texas State Plan for Education (Section 1, 1.5.3A; 1.5.4A; 1.5.5A) states that both qualitative and quantitative measures must be used to identify students in grades 1 -12 in general intellectual ability and/or specific academic subjects.

What if my child is a transfer student who was previously identified as TAG?

When a student identified as gifted by a previous school district transfers into JISD, the student’s records shall be reviewed to determine if placement in the district’s program for gifted and talented students is appropriated. Additional tests may be required.